
Tired of documentation tools that lock you into their ecosystem? Docmost breaks free. Imagine Notion’s collaborative power real-time editing, beautiful formatting, diagrams, and version control but self-hosted. Own your data. Control your privacy. Unleash limitless customization. Docmost is your open-source knowledge sanctuary.
What Is Docmost and Why Should Teams Use It?
Docmost acts like a personal, collaborative wiki. It’s built with simplicity in mind while still offering advanced capabilities for teams:
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- Multiple users can edit the same document at once, making team communication smooth and effective.
- Write with a clean interface using Markdown and see a live preview.
- Assign user roles to control who can view or edit specific spaces and pages.
- Use spaces, nested pages, and groups to organize your documentation efficiently.
- Embed diagrams using Draw.io, Excalidraw, or Mermaid directly in your pages.
- Every change is tracked, and a powerful search helps locate content quickly.
If you’re looking for a self-hosted tool to manage your notes and tasks, Docmost might be exactly what you need.
Key Feature Comparison: Docmost vs Notion
The table below provides a detailed comparison between Docmost and Notion based on their features:
Why You Might Want to Self-Host Docmost
Tired of vendor lock-in and privacy compromises? Self-host Docmost and seize total control of your content. Ditch restrictive formatting, escape escalating vendor fees, and safeguard your data. Unleash seamless integration with your existing tools and empower your team to scale effortlessly, all on your terms.
How to Deploy Docmost with Docker
Ready to unleash Docmost? Before diving in, ensure Docker and Docker Compose are your system’s trusty sidekicks, both installed and raring to go. Next, conjure up a dedicated project directory – your Docmost command center – and teleport yourself there using the command line. Prepare for launch!
“`
mkdir
docmost
&&
cd
docmost “`
Use the following curl command to download the docker-compose.yml file from the Docmost GitHub repository:
“` curl
-O
https:
//
raw.githubusercontent.com
/
docmost
/
docmost
/
main
/
docker-compose.yml “`

Now, open the docker-compose.yml file using an editor like Nano:
“`
nano
docker-compose.yml “`
Generate a secure APP_SECRET by running the following command in your terminal:
“`
sudo
openssl rand
-hex
32
“`

Now, set the environment variables, such as APP_URL, APP_SECRET, DATABASE_URL, and REDIS_URL.

Launch Docmost with Docker Compose.
“`
sudo
docker compose
up
-d
“`
This command pulls the necessary images and starts three containers: Docmost, PostgreSQL, and Redis:

Finally, visit your specified APP_URL in your browser to access Docmost.

Ready to unleash the power of Docmost? The setup wizard is your launchpad! Simply follow the onscreen prompts to craft your initial workspace and user profile. Once you’ve filled in the essential information, hit thatCreate workspacebutton and watch your Docmost world come to life!

A workspace will be created in your team’s space for collaboration and documentation.

How to Use Docmost
Let’s explore some core use cases of the Docmost platform, including team collaboration, knowledge management, real-time editing, and self-hosted documentation.
Create and Edit a Page in Docmost
Ready to unleash your inner author? Just hit “New Page” in the sidebar. Give your masterpiece a title, then let your words flow using the magic of Markdown.

Similarly, you can select specific content to add headings, lists, tables, and code blocks.

Add Diagrams in Docmost
Unleash the power of visual communication within Docmost! Effortlessly embed diagrams from your favorite tools like Draw.io, Excalidraw, and Mermaid. Simply attach your .drawio or .svg files, then conjure them onto your pages with the magic of standard Markdown image syntax: watch your ideas come to life!
“`
!
[
Diagram
]
(
.
/
path-to-your-drawio.svg
)
“`
Organize with Spaces and Nested Pages
Ready to build your empire? Head to the left sidebar. Beneath the current Space name (likely “General” for now), hunt down the mysticalSpace settingslink. Click it, and a portal to Space Management opens, revealing the secrets of Settings and Members within its twin tabs.
TheSettingstab lets you customize how the space appears and behaves. Here’s what you can configure:
-
Space Nameis used to update the title of the space (e.g., from “General” to “MTE Docs”). Your space’sslugis its digital fingerprint, the unique identifier in the URL. Think of it as your online address. While it’s born from your space’s name, you hold the reins – customize it to make it memorable and perfectly “you.”
-
Descriptionlets you add a brief summary to explain the purpose of the space.

- Can editallows editing but not managing settings.
- Full accessincludes editing, managing members, and configuring space settings.
Need to adjust team roles or prune the user list? Simply tap the dropdown beside a teammate’s name to redefine their access. For deeper control or to bid farewell to a user the threedot menu is your portal. Growing the team? The “Add space members” button unlocks the power toinvite new usersand expand your collaborative universe.

Why Docmost Stands Out
Unleash your content’s full potential with Docmost! Imagine crafting documents where vibrant tables dance alongside elegant LaTeX formulas, seamlessly interwoven with rich, interactive embeds – all within one intuitive editor. Forget chaotic documentation; Docmost’s effortless drag-and-drop organization keeps your growing knowledge base beautifully structured and a joy to navigate.
Mistakes happen. Delete something important? No sweat. Our system remembers everything, letting you rewind to earlier versions with a click. Plus, finding that one elusive detail in a massive project is now lightning-fast, thanks to our powerful, full-text search.
Imagine wielding a digital key, granting access to only those team members who need it. Organize your users by role or team, then fine-tune permissions, ensuring sensitive content remains protected and only authorized eyes can view or edit. This targeted approach keeps workflows streamlined and confidential, especially crucial when scaling your team.
Watch your team’s potential explode. As projects balloon and your team expands, Docmost delivers the streamlined collaboration, laser-focused organization, and ironclad data control you need to thrive. Stop surviving; start dominating.
Thanks for reading Docmost is the Best Self-hosted Notion Alternative You Are Looking For